Ana Seymour - Lord Of Lyonsbridge

Cover Page

Excerpt How could this man kiss her that way? How could be make her lose all sense of the world around her, and then simply let her go and step back with nothing more than curt, chiding words? Ellen had overlooked it once, back in the forest, but this time he’d pay for his knavery. “You underestimate me, Master Brand. You think I’m powerless to punish you for your offenses.” He seemed to wince, but his voice was strong as he answered, “Milady, ‘twas an error, a grievous one. I ask your forgiveness.” She’d not expected that, When he’d kissed her in the forest he’d not appeared in the least sorry, nor had he apologized. “I could forgive once…” He nodded firmly. “But twice is unpardonable. My only defense is that the first kiss was too pleasurable to leave it at one.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Ana Seymour’s new medieval novel, Lord of Lyonsbridge, marks her twelfth Harlequin Historical title! Critics have described her books as “superb,” “heartwarming” and “wonderful,” and Lord of Lyonsbridge follows suit. It’s the charming tale of a spoiled Norman heiress who is sent to her father’s new estate, Lyonsbridge, to set up household. There she falls under the spell of the sinfully handsome Saxon horse master, Connor Brand, and sets tongues wagging! And if you enjoy Western romances, we have two very different selections for you. The first, Heart of the Lawman by Linda Castle, proves that love can heal even the deepest wounds when a widow falls for—and forgives—the man who mistakenly put her in jail. And don’t miss Plum Creek Bride by Lynna Banning. Here, a German nanny travels to Oregon to care for a baby girl, and arrives to find a grieving single father whom she teaches to love again. Finally, we have The Captive Bride by Susan Spencer Paul, who also writes mainstream historicals as Mary Spencer. This medieval novel features Senet Gaillard, the tortured brother from The Bride Thief, who’ll stop at nothing to reclaim his father’s estate—even marriage! Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historicals® novel. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Title Page Lord of Lyonsbridge Ana Seymour www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author ANA SEYMOUR has been a fan of English history since her childhood, when she devoured the historical epics of Thomas Costain, Rafael Sabatini and Anya Seton and spent late nights up watching the swashbuckling movies of Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power. She spent a number of years working in the field of journalism, but she never forgot the magic of those tales. Now she is happy to be weaving some of that magic herself through Harlequin Historicals. Ana loves to hear from her readers at P.O. Box 47888, Minneapolis, MN 55447.

Dedication The Lyonsbridge Brands were named in honor of my Brand descendant cousins: Kathy Brodniak, Beverly Killiam, and Brand and John Frentz, who have all said such nice things about my books!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Copyright

How could be make her lose all sense of the world around her, and then simply let her go and step back with nothing more than curt, chiding words? Ellen had overlooked it once, back in the forest, but this time he’d pay for his knavery.

“You underestimate me, Master Brand. You think I’m powerless to punish you for your offenses.”

He seemed to wince, but his voice was strong as he answered, “Milady, ‘twas an error, a grievous one. I ask your forgiveness.”

She’d not expected that, When he’d kissed her in the forest he’d not appeared in the least sorry, nor had he apologized. “I could forgive once…”

He nodded firmly. “But twice is unpardonable. My only defense is that the first kiss was too pleasurable to leave it at one.”

Dear Reader,

Ana Seymour’s new medieval novel, Lord of Lyonsbridge, marks her twelfth Harlequin Historical title! Critics have described her books as “superb,” “heartwarming” and “wonderful,” and Lord of Lyonsbridge follows suit. It’s the charming tale of a spoiled Norman heiress who is sent to her father’s new estate, Lyonsbridge, to set up household. There she falls under the spell of the sinfully handsome Saxon horse master, Connor Brand, and sets tongues wagging!

And if you enjoy Western romances, we have two very different selections for you. The first, Heart of the Lawman by Linda Castle, proves that love can heal even the deepest wounds when a widow falls for—and forgives—the man who mistakenly put her in jail. And don’t miss Plum Creek Bride by Lynna Banning. Here, a German nanny travels to Oregon to care for a baby girl, and arrives to find a grieving single father whom she teaches to love again.

Finally, we have The Captive Bride by Susan Spencer Paul, who also writes mainstream historicals as Mary Spencer. This medieval novel features Senet Gaillard, the tortured brother from The Bride Thief, who’ll stop at nothing to reclaim his father’s estate—even marriage!

Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historicals® novel.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Harlequin Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

www.millsandboon.co.uk

has been a fan of English history since her childhood, when she devoured the historical epics of Thomas Costain, Rafael Sabatini and Anya Seton and spent late nights up watching the swashbuckling movies of Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power. She spent a number of years working in the field of journalism, but she never forgot the magic of those tales. Now she is happy to be weaving some of that magic herself through Harlequin Historicals. Ana loves to hear from her readers at P.O. Box 47888, Minneapolis, MN 55447.

The Lyonsbridge Brands were named in honor of my Brand descendant cousins: Kathy Brodniak, Beverly Killiam, and Brand and John Frentz, who have all said such nice things about my books!

England, 1130

It was a rare day. Around the stable yard a crystalline lace of hoarfrost outlined the trees and fences in white. Connor’s breath showed in puffy clouds as he struggled against the big man in his grasp.

“I trow, you’ve put on another stone since last sennight, Martin,” he gasped.

Father Martin, friar of St. John’s, shoved his shoulder against the slighter man, sending them both tumbling to the frozen ground. “’Tis you who’ve grown weak, big brother. Best you lay aside your lute and spend more time with the quarter staff.”

Connor gave the priest a great heave to roll his considerable bulk off to one side, then sat up. “Not too weak to snatch you up and set you right-side down on your bald pate, Martin, if I were a mind.”